More than 8,000 people helped score banks by the level of customer service,
ahead of a new current account switching guarantee.

Perennial favourite First Direct has once again been crowned the best bank for customer service. A huge 93pc of respondents rated its service "great" in a poll to establish how well banks treat their customers.

The insight, from consumer website Moneysavingexpert.com, comes just weeks before a new switching guarantee makes it easier to move current accounts.

The website asked 8,000 people to help rank banks' customer service. The twice-yearly index showed Santander - much maligned in recent years for poor service - appears to be improving. It finished third in the list, behind Co-op in second.

The 93pc score for First Direct was a real endorsement of consistently excellent customer service, said Dan Plant, at MoneySavingExpert.com - a lesson for many household names.

He said: "We are now just weeks away from the new switching rules so there really is no excuse to put up with bad accounts with even worse service.The big four high street banks need to step up their game, as by not improving their service they are now lagging behind."

A new 'switch in a week' guarantee, launching on September 16, will transfer all direct debits and standing orders to a the new account within seven working days. If charges occur or interest is lost, banks will pay compensation.

Removing the hassle of switching should promote better service and deals, expert say. There are already signs of increased competition between high street banks and building societies hoping to attract new customers.

Runner-up in the poll was Co-op Bank, and its Smile internet acccount. Some 76pc of respondents said its customer service was great, despite the mutual making a number of changes in recent months. These included the removal of its "Service Level Guarantees"which gave customers £15 if Co-op failed to meet a set of self-imposed standards.

Santander's123 account, which pays up to 3pc cashback on household bills and other spending, has been a favourite among customers for its rewards, according to Mr Plant. It gained a satisfaction rating of 75pc. However, the bank as a whole received a slightly lower 62pc.

The Bank of Scotland came last with just 36pc of its customers saying its customer service pleased with its service. HSBC and Lloyds TSB completed the bottom three.

A spokesman for the Bank of Scotland said: "The level of banking complaints across the Bank of Scotland retail network is falling, and at June 2013 these have been reduced by 50pc against the same period last year.

"Getting customer service right is at the heart of our strategy of being the best bank in Scotland."